Anne Heiligenstein, the commissioner of the state's Department of Family and Protective Services, is in the midst of a massive redesign of Texas' foster care system, one she hopes will keep kids close to home, connected to their siblings and reduce their time in state custody. She'll pitch her proposals — designed over the course of several months with care providers and child welfare advocates — to lawmakers by the end of the year.

Heiligenstein knows it's a rough budget year and vows she won't ask for more money to revamp the system. In return, she's going ...

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